
Irish WRC duo and their car are star guests at the MI Rally Academy J1000 Development Day at Mondello Park
There were 31 Junior 1000 competitors from the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series and Forest Rally Championship taking part in the academy's latest development day with training workshops including driver, fitness, performance and equipment coaching.
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And as an added bonus M-Sport's Ford Puma Rally1 was in attendance too, but not just as a centre piece to be enjoyed.
Irish World Rally Championship duo Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy were also at Mondello offering passenger runs in this amazing machine.
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WRC FUTURE STARS: WRC drivers Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy with MI Rally Academy founder John Coyne plus drivers from the FIA Rally pyramid and J1000
Credit: Darren Liggett
I was invited along by Red Bull Ireland as both Josh and Eoin are athletes of the energy drink company, and I was one of the lucky punters who got to enjoy two very hot, but also very wet, laps around Mondello.
Also on track was a Hyundai i20 Rally2, usually seen in action with MI Rally Academy founder and patron John Coyne at the wheel.
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European Rally Championship contender Jon Armstrong did demonstration runs before academy members sampled Rally2 power on the slippery circuit.
While the excitement of seeing McErlean power-slide his WRC car around Mondello's rain-soaked track unsurprisingly stole the show, there were a host of special guests and visitors present at the venue.
The J1000 crews were joined by their friends and families as they rubbed shoulders with a host of media representatives, podcasters, influencers, Red Bull Ireland and national broadcaster RTE.
As J1000 rallying in Ireland continues to go from strength to strength, with both entries and competitiveness increasing, the development day was another key step in recognising its importance to and close relationship with the MI Rally Academy.
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LET LOOSE: M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car going sideways in the wet around Mondello
Credit: MI Rally Academy
So as well as showcasing J1000 and the MI Rally Academy's WRC crew of McErlean and Treacy, another highlight was the first time the FIA's complete Rally Pyramid was on display in Ireland at the same time.
Mondello was packed with Rally5 cars right up to the Rally1 Puma, and the teenage J1000 crews also got to bring their rally-specification hot-hatches to the event.
The event was held a couple of days after the two-year anniversary of the passing of WRC driver Craig Breen, who was a great supporter of the MI Rally Academy.
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So it was no surprise to see so many of the drivers all wearing 'Breenie' bobble hats in honour of their Irish rallying hero.
With academy members competing in Rally4, Rally3, Rally2 and Rally1 championships this year, cars in attendance included Craig Rahill's front-running Junior European Rally Championship Peugeot 208 Rally4 as well as Coyne's Hyundai i20 Rally2.
Coyne, who travelled over from his home in the USA for the special occasion, had been in action on the Moonraker Forest Rally four days earlier where he finished in 11th place.
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DREAM TEAM: WRC driver Josh McErlean and his co-pilot Eoin Treacy pictured with Motorsport Ireland members
Credit: MI Rally Academy
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The 1982 Irish Tarmac Rally champion also finished fourth in the 1982 Circuit of Ireland Rally, one minute behind WRC legend Henri Toivonen, and ahead of Billy Coleman, Hannu Mikkola and Ari Vatanen.
Coyne was also in action in the i20 Rally2 on the Circuit of Ireland over the weekend along with MI Rally Academy co-driver Killian McArdle.
And after Friday and Saturday's asphalt stages were complete they brought their i20 home in 18th.
Speaking afterwards, Coyne said: 'Happy with 18th overall, 10th RC2 on my first tarmac rally in six years. After a one-minute-20-second off on SS1 we dropped to 69th overall.
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'It took some time to gain confidence, but I'm happy that my pace improved steadily with our best stage result being 11th-fastest on SS10.'
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GENERATION GAME: WRC driver Josh McErlean with MI Rally Academy founder and patron John Coyne
Credit: MI Rally Academy
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Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Motors: McErlean and Treacy finish ninth at the Delfi Rally Estonia
The Irish crew of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1) took their fourth WRC points scoring finish of the season with ninth place in the Delfi Rally Estonia as Swedish driver Oliver Solberg (23) took a magnificent debut Rally1 maiden victory with the Toyota GR Racing outfit. Taking the lead on Saturday's opening stage (SS2) Solberg, the son of former WR champion Petter, showed pace and calmness that belied his years and indeed his Rally1 experience in what was his first Rally1 drive in some three years. Shedding tears at the finish, he said, 'After everything, for so many years trying and trying and trying and dreaming, me and Elliott (Edmondson, his co-driver) have finally made it. I don't know how to describe it. I just want to say a big thank you to Toyota, to the team and to the test team, who have helped me get so comfortable. For all the help in this beautiful team, I've never had such a good time in my life, so thank you.' Solberg finished 25.2s ahead of Hyundai's Ott Tanak, who moves into a one point lead of the championship, with his team mate and reigning champion Thierry Neuville, 23.1s further behind in third. Through Saturday's second leg of nine stages, McErlean/ Treacy maintained their 10th place throughout the day. Running second on the road and having to sweep the loose gravel they had a consistent run as they tried to find their limits without taking risks. At a junction soon after the start of SS12 they out-braked themselves and ended up in a ditch but luckily, escaped unscathed. Out in front, Solberg continued to impress and with four stage wins ended the day with a 21.1s lead, Some changes to the set-up of his Toyota GR Yaris gave Solberg some extra confidence and he duly topped the time sheets on three of the four morning speed tests. His performance allowed him tailor his approach during the afternoon stages to one of stage management. All the time, the Hyundai i20 duo of Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville battled for second - trading places on six occasions with local hero Tanak ending the day 4s ahead of the reigning World champion, who lost some 7s on the day's first stage when he stalled after clipping a chicane bale. Japan's Takamoto Katsuta and his Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnson were sixth overnight. As Solberg went on to claim an astonishing victory, second placed Tanak became the new leader of the championship, Neuville incurred a 10 second penalty for a jump start on Sunday's first stage. While McErlean admitted he wasn't as committed as he would have wished, it was important to get to the finish and with the final stage retirement of Katsuta/Johnston due to a mechanical issue, the Irish crew were classified ninth. On the domestic front, Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5) won the Sligo Rally to reclaim the lead of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Throughout the nine stage where tyre choice was difficult, he traded times with late entry Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi R5), who led twice. At the final service, Doherty held sway by 2.5s before taking a 2.4s advantage into the final stage where Kelly, who had previously narrowed the deficit to 0.8s had an altercation that took a wheel off his VW Polo GTi R5, temporarily blocking the stage. Doherty went on to finish 10.9s ahead of the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 of Donegal's Declan Boyle, whose son Michael, also in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, wad 14.2s behind in third. There was early drama when pre-event and joint championship leader Josh Moffett rolled his Hyundai R5 into retirement on SS1 where Donegal's Kevin Eves (Ford Fiesta Rally2) also crashed out. Sam Moffett was amongst the non-starters. Elsewhere, Omagh's Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) won the Banbridge based R Kings Down Rally, that dovetailed as rounds of the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship and the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship. Fastest on six of the day's eight stages, he finished 58.6s ahead of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of Carryduff's Jonny Greer, that ran with a 32mm restrictor, Jersey driver Sam Touzel (Ford Fiesta Rally2), who was third, took maximum points to lead the UK Asphalt series. Delfi Rally Estonia (Round 8, World Rally Championship) Tartu: 1. O. Solberg/E. Edmondson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)2h. 36m. 35.1s; 2. O. Tänak/M. Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+25.2s; 3. T. Neuville/M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+48.3s; 4. K. Rovanperä/ J. Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+55.6s; 5. A. Fourmaux/A. Coria (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+1m. 33.0s; 6. E. Evans/S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+1m. 43.4s; 7. S. Pajari/M. Salminen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+2m. 55.6s; 8. M. Sesks/R. Francis (Ford Puma Rally1)+3m. 36.0s; 9. J. McErlean/E. Treacy (Ford Puma Rally1)+5m. 29.8s; 10. G. Munster/L. Louka (Ford Puma Rally1)+5m. 57.5s. World Rally Championship for Drivers' Standings (After Round 8): 1. O. Tanak 162pts; 2. E. Evans 161pts; 3. S. Ogier 141pts; 4. K. Rovanpera 138pts; 5. T. Neuville 114pts; 6. A. Fourmaux 71pts; 7. T. Katsuta 63pts; 8. O. Solberg 52pts; 9. S. Pajari 38pts; 10. 10. G. Munster 19pts; 11. J. McErlean 14pts. World Rally Manufacturers' Championship Standings (After Round 8):1. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT 399pts; 2, Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT 347pts; 3. M-Sport Ford WRT 111pts; 4. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 68pts. Sligo Rally (Round 5, Triton Showers National Rally Championship) Sligo: 1. E. Doherty/T. Murphy (Skoda Fabia R5) 49m. 55.8s; 2. D. Boyle/P. Walsh (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+10.9s; 3. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+25.1s; 4. J. Dickson/M. Brady (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+47.1s; 5. D. Henry/D. O'Sullivan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+53.4s; 6. P. Barrett/D. Kelly (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 07.7s; 7. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 08.5s; 8. G. Kiernan/J. McCabe (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 19.2s; 9. D. Gass/N. Shanks (VW Polo GTi R5)+1m. 49.0s; 10. A. McIntyre/P. O'Callaghan (Toyota Starlet)+2m. 32.1s. R Kings Down Rally (Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship) Banbridge, Co. Down: 1. C. McCourt/B. McNulty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 52m. 26.9s; 2.J. Greer/N. Burns (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+58.6s; 3. S. Touzel/M. Freeman (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 15.7s; 4. M. Kelly/W. Atkins (VW Polo GTi R5)+1m. 23.8s; 5. A. McLaughlin/K. McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi R5)+3m. 04.4s; 6. N. Roskell/R. Fagg (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+3m. 05.4s; 7. C. Wilson/K. McDaid (Hyundai i20 R5)+3m. 45.9s; 8. B. Cole/D. Petrie (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+3m. 50.2s; 9. M. Toner/A. Rankin (Proton Satria)+4m. 22.8s; 10. L. Edwards/S. Spencer (Ford Escort G3)+4m. 35.9s. 2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship (Positions after Round 5): 1. S. Touzel 114pts; 2. Jason Pritchard 110pts; 3. N. Roskell 107pts; 4. Brad Cole 93pts; 5. John Stone 87pts.


Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Rally Estonia 'a real benchmark' for McErlean
Motorsport So far, as their maiden Rally1 journey continues within the top tier of the World Rally Championship, the Irish crew of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy seem to perform better on gravel surface and this weekend's Delfi Rally Estonia, one of the fastest gravel rallies in the WRC, awaits as they continue what is still a learning experience. McErlean, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday has only one previous experience of Estonia - in 2023 when he drove a Hyundai i20 Rally2 to an eighth place category finish. 'Rally Estonia is a real benchmark for pace and commitment - fast roads, big jumps and no room for hesitation. It's an incredible feeling driving these roads and one I've been looking forward to ever since stepping into the Puma Rally1. Every kilometre is a chance to grow, and I'm keen to keep pushing, learning and showing what we can do.' Last time out, a succession of punctures, suspension damage and only front-wheel drive for a time, gave them a torrid time on the Acropolis Rally Greece. "That was one of the toughest tests we've faced, physically and mentally. But it showed us where we can improve and what we're capable of overcoming. Now it's about taking those learnings and applying them to a much faster rally like Estonia.' Outlining the plan, he concluded, 'The priority is to deliver a clean rally, we want to apply everything we learned from Greece, from car set-up to tyre management and adapting to conditions, to rebuild our momentum. Estonia is a place I enjoy, but mistakes here are costly, especially with how precise you need to be. Estonia has no room for errors on the stages'. With some 308 stage kilometres until Sunday, the Kilrea driver and his Killeagh co-driver will have plenty to keep them busy to attain their quest including Saturday's infamous Otepaa stage with its equally renowned jump and Sunday's all-new Power Stage - Kaariku. While championship leader, Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) doesn't have his team mate and nearest challenger Sebastien Ogier snapping at his heels on this occasion, the presence of former event winners Ott Tanak (Hyundai 120 N Rally1) and Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) will chase the Welshman hard. Tanak's victory on the Acropolis Rally Greece has put him right back in contention, closing the gap to Evans twelve points, victory in his local event (he won in 2020) would continue to ramp up his bid. Tomorrow (Saturday) Omagh's Cathan McCourt (Skoda Fabia Rally2), outgoing NI champion Caryduff's Jonny Greer (Toyota Yaris Rally2) and Muff's Joe McGonigle (Citroen C3 Rally2) headline the R Kings Down Rally that brings the curtain down on the Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship. The eight-stage event is also a counter for the UK National Asphalt series where Jersey driver Sam Touzel (Ford Fiesta Rally2) could inherit top spot in the absence of series leader Jason Pritchard. Others in the top ten include newly crowned NI champion Donegal's Aaron McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi R5) and Kinallen's Stuart Biggerstaff (Ford Fiesta Rally2). The first stage starts at 9.30am. Meanwhile, having lost the lead of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship to the Moffett brothers (Josh and Sam) some two weeks ago on the Raven's Rock Rally, Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty (Skoda Fabia R5) has a quick opportunity for reparation on Sunday's Sligo Rally, the fifth round of the series. Power steering issues whilst holding a sizeable lead meant Doherty only gleamed a solitary point from the Waterford based event. As the top seed in what is a capacity entry Doherty will aim to cut the ten points deficit to the Moffett duo, who are joint leaders of the series. Sam will steer the newer model Hyundai as Josh stays faithful to the R5 variant. The other main championship contenders are Derry's Desi Henry (Ford Fiesta Rally2) and Declan Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2). Others in the top ten are Donegal's Michael Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Kevin Eves (Ford Fiesta Rally2), Armagh's Darren Gass (VW Polo GTi R5) and Maynooth's Paul Barrett (Citroen C3 Rally2). The first of the day's nine stages (Ladies Brae) is at 10.07am.


Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Irish Times
Former Bohemian FC coach David Henderson is awarded €26,000 after ‘ruthless, sham' redundancy
A tribunal has made a maximum-compensation €26,000 award to former Bohemian FC coach David Henderson over his dismissal from the League of Ireland premier division club. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found he was subjected to a fabricated allegation of misconduct when the club 'got rid' of him in a 'ruthless and dishonest' redundancy last winter. An adjudicator from the WRC found there was 'no evidence' to back up claims by the Bohs management that the club's finances were in trouble to the extent it had to get rid of the ex-player and coach, who was drawing wages of just €250 a week. In a decision published on Wednesday, the tribunal found The Bohemian Football Club CLG to be breach of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 on foot of a complaint by Mr Henderson over his dismissal by telephone on November 30th, 2024. READ MORE Giving evidence to the tribunal, the club's president had said a budget review process last October and November concluded that 'cutbacks' were needed at the club in 2025 and had 'looked at the complainant's position'. The club president said Bohemians had booked 'significant losses' in 2023 and had projected losses for 2024 - with a decision made at an early November 2024 board meeting that the role of 'recruitment' was not needed. After the board meeting, he instructed the club's director of football to tell Mr Henderson his 'services were no longer required and were being dispensed with'. Adjudication officer Christina Ryan said that when she questioned the club president he could not confirm the date of the board meeting. He also confirmed that Mr Henderson 'was not put on notice' of potential redundancies at the club, had no opportunity to take part in a consultation process and had 'no forewarning' of the phone call on November 30th ending his employment. Mr Henderson told the commission he had been involved with the club at various stages as player, scout and coach – and since 2023 had been head of recruitment, goalkeeping coach for the men's first team, coach for the women's team and chief scout for the Bohemian FC academy. He said the director of football first referenced 'a budgeting issue' when he phoned to remove him from his post. When he replied that this 'did not make sense', given all he did for the club for €250 a week, the director of football then mentioned 'anonymous verbal complaints and a historic letter of complaint', he said. Mr Henderson said he had been given 'no prior warning, investigation or opportunity to respond before his dismissal' and that 'multiple requests' for details of the allegations and 'supposed letter of complaint' had gone unanswered. Under questioning from the adjudicator, the club president admitted 'no letter of complaint ever existed'. Mr Henderson said he had such concerns for his reputation and professional standing, given he worked with underage and female players, that he wrote to the Football Association of Ireland's safeguarding department asking it to pursue the matter – with the FAI's child protection officer confirming there was no letter. He said if the allegations did exist then he wanted them formally investigated to ensure fairness to himself and any potential complainants. In her decision on the case, Ms Ryan wrote: 'These allegations were a gross fabrication designed to, for whatever reason, get rid of the complainant.' She said the club had not been able to 'substantiate the assertion that the financial position of the respondent was such that it would justify the redundancy or the role of recruitment'. It had, in fact, presented 'no documentary evidence' on its financial position, Ms Ryan said. 'It was apparent that the complainant remained involved in football at League of Ireland, college and grassroots level because of his love of the game of football. He was not only an employee of the respondent but a former player, and the treatment he was subjected to by the respondent was shocking,' she said. Ms Ryan said the dismissal was 'nothing more than a sham redundancy carried out in a ruthless and dishonest manner without a single thought for the personal damage the respondent was inflicting on the complainant'. She awarded Mr Henderson €26,000 in compensation – and said it was the 'upper limit' that she was in a position to award.